A 23-year-old Bradford man who volunteered to work with Indonesian children living off a landfill site has backed a scheme to get youngsters working on projects in the developing world.

International Citizen Service, started by Prime Minister David Cameron and Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell, aims to get 18 to 22-year-olds to volunteer in developing countries.

Farhaan Husain, who worked as a volunteer in Indonesia, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity and I would urge everyone to apply. It may be a cliche, but volunteering with VSO definitely changed my life.

“With my Indonesian counterpart I taught English, geography and maths.

“I also had the opportunity to make a more physical difference with numerous projects such as rebuilding a monsoon-damaged school, constructing a children’s library and an irrigation system.”

The scheme aims to help reduce poverty overseas as well as broaden the horizons of the young volunteers.

Mr Cameron said: “International Citizen Service will not only help the world’s poorest communities, but it will be a life-changing experience for our young people, giving them new perspectives, greater confidence and higher aspirations.”

Opportunities include working in Latin America or West Africa on projects to protect and promote the rights of children, women or people living with a disability or HIV and AIDS.

For more information visit dfid.gov.uk/ics or go to facebook.com/ics.

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